True Victory Is Victory Over Self

[grim23]

I will perform kata every day. I will breathe as I perform kata. I will breathe when I am not performing kata. I will train Karatedo or another martial art 5 days a week, especially on Mondays and Wednesdays.

I will crossstrain in another martial art, probably weapons and/or a ‘softer’ discipline, but I will continue with Karatedo. I will read and re-read more martial philosophy. I will train more with the weapons I do know.

I will not be away from the Fortress of Solitude overnight more than once a week, unless I am on a trip. More things will flow away from the Fortress than will enter in. My altar and my house will be clean and uncluttered.

I will eat more healthy foods, and less unhealthy foods. I will eat less. I will drink less coffee. I will drink more water. I will sleep more. I will continue to watch little television. I will spend less time on the computer.

I will learn to dance three different styles. I will improve my running. I will formally learn Tantric principles and techniques. I will improve myself, because there are others who depend on me to be my best, and because I deserve to be my best. I will ruthlessly and tirelessly root out my Fears and I will learn them, embrace them, and reintegrate them to Self.


Musashi's Book of Five Rings
The nine basic attitudes from the first excerpt:

* Do not think dishonestly. Think honestly within yourself in your dealings with all men.
* The Way is in training. Constant training is the only Way to learn strategy.
* Become acquainted with every art. Become familiar with every art you come across.
* Know the Ways of all professions. Understand the Way of other disciplines.
* Distinguish between gain and loss/right and wrong in worldly matters.
* Develop intuitive/inner judgment and understanding for everything.
* Perceive those things which cannot be seen.
* Pay attention even to trifles. Overlook nothing, regardless of its insignificance.
* Do nothing which is of no use. Do not waste time idling or thinking.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Ever considered studying a traditional Japanese -jitsu form instead of another -do form?

Smartass alert

[jic]

Excellent! Because if you hold your breath while doing kata (and particularly while not doing kata), you might pass out.

On a serious note, several good resolutions/affirmations there, yo.

[darklady-produc.livejournal.com]

When are you going to just Be?

Principles of learning

[sienna555.livejournal.com]

According to Vedic scriptures, reaching the point of ultimate highest vibrational impact (otherwise known as Clarity or Enlightenment) requires that one be pure in Thought, Word, and Deed.

'Purity' requres only that one be true to one's own Will and Purpose, not to someone else's higher ideals; only your *own* concept of higher ideals, (which are clear to anyone who knows you).

Purity of thought requires that we recognize the Karma of negative thought patterns and put them to rest. Purity of word means that we recognize the karma of the things we speak: are they true, kind, and necessary? Purity of deed requires recognition of our own physical karma of deeds: the type that most people associate with "karma" in general.

Your goal is noble; however, your oath remains unspoken, even if written on screen.

Re: Principles of learning

[grim23]

Thank you for your teaching.

Before I make oaths to others, I prepare for them myself. I have been working on this post for several weeks. I could have waited for the New Year or Yule, but my current mantra is 'To Know Is To Act' and I decided not to wait.

I will see if I can live this.

Grim

[grim23]

I don't know.

[darklady-produc.livejournal.com]

Seems like a design flaw. You might want to consider prioritizing that.

Otherwise, how can you trust the results of anything else?

Re: Smartass alert

[grim23]

I have almost done so, several times, especially during great stress or learning the kata. :>

Thank you.

Grim

[grim23]

I have. I'd be open for suggestions, if you have any.

[grim23]

I don't think anyone can know if they are just Being. The Tao that can be named is not the Tao. I think I am the closest when I perform mindful meditation, but I might be wrong.

[darklady-produc.livejournal.com]

Irony of sentence structure aside, I think you spent too much time in your head.

The ineffable cannot be captured by, nor fully experienced within, structure or form.

But it can rattle you down to your core elements.

[grim23]

True. However, kata, or mindful moving meditation, is something that takes me away from my head. I am healthier, mentally and emotionally, when I provide myself at least an illusion of structure. Breathing and health, and considering ways to improve myself, certainly won't hurt me, and may contribute to other ways to find my core elements. :>

Thank you.

Grim

[darklady-produc.livejournal.com]

An illusion contributes to your overall better health and ability to achieve true insight into Self?

There absolutely is value in all of the things you mention, but I think you're more caught up in your "illusion of structure" and spend more time in your head than you may realize. It doesn't look like I'm the only friend with this hypothesis.

Life is not all about battles and the need for warriors to fight them. Sometimes warriors fight where there is no need, perhaps they sometimes feel an urge to impose an illusion of structure... their particular illusion of structure... where it doesn't exist and it isn't necessarily needed.

Just a few thoughts to mull or discard.